Veteran Kiwi quick Chris Martin announces retirement from cricket

Wellington, July 3 (ANI): Veteran New Zealand fast bowler Chris Martin has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

According to Stuff.co.nz, Martin, who played 71 tests, 20 one-day internationals and six international Twenty20s for New Zealand after making his Test debut against South Africa in 2000, retires as New Zealand's third highest test wicket-taker behind Sir Richard Hadlee and Daniel Vettori with 233 dismissals.

The report further said that the quick played his last Test match against South Africa in Bloemfoentain in January this year.

Stating that it felt like the right time to step down, Martin said that although he has loved every second of the game and had given it everything when playing for the Black Caps, it is now time for him to pursue a new challenge after 15 years of professional cricket.

Martin further thanked his family, New Zealand Cricket, Auckland Cricket and Canterbury Cricket for their help and support over the years, adding that wearing the silver fern has brought him a huge amount of pride and will be something that he will always cherish, given his tendency to be viewed as a five-day specialist.

Paying tribute to the qualities Martin brought to the side, Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said that the way Martin goes about his business both on and off the field has made him one of the most respected players in the dressing room, adding that his knowledge and experience had made his presence in the group important, regardless of his 200 Test wickets.

According to the report, in 2009, Martin assumed the mantle of leader of the attack for the Black Caps after Shane Bond's retirement and was an automatic selection in the test team, although the emergence of young fast bowlers Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell and Neil Wagner on the Test scene made that less of a certainty.

The right-armer, who hails from Christchurch, was ranked in 2008 as the 10th best test bowler in the world. He finished his international career ranked number 19, the report added. (ANI)